Tool for removing cedar roofing material

ABSTRACT

There is provided a tool for removing cedar roofing material. The tool has a handle with a first end and a second end which is spaced-apart from the first end. The second end of the handle is inclined. The tool includes a blade having a base portion connected to the second end of the handle. The blade has a proximal end which is adjacent to the base portion of the blade. The blade has a distal end which is spaced-apart from the base portion of the blade. The blade is arcuate-shaped between its proximal end and its distal end. The base portion is angled relative to the proximal end of the blade.

FIELD OF INVENTION

There is provided a roofing tool. In particular, there is provided a tool for removing cedar roofing material, such as cedar shingles or shakes.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,119 to Saucier, Sr. et al. provides a manually manipulatable tool for dislodging and systematically removing composite roof covering material. The tool includes a straight elongated handle having head means at the working end. The handle is designed for stand-up use and can be grasped at longitudinally spaced points with both hands. The forward end is provided with a rigidly mounted blade which is firm but bendably resilient. The blade is longitudinally bowed and has a leading rounded end fashioned into a cutting blade. The blade has its rearward end joined to the forward end of the handle. The leading end is guidingly piloted and inserted and wedged between the roof covering material and underlying roof surface. It is forcibly shoved in a manner to cut and dislodge strips of suitable length and paves the way for lifting and removing the remaining block-like portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,743 to Ackerman provides a manually manipulatable tool which is intended for use in roofing repair, namely, for removing resilient composite roof shingles for replacement. The tool comprises a narrow elongated bowed blade or rocker bed having prying means at its working end. The prying means is adapted to be inserted beneath the free edge of the shingle and to dislodge the nails which hold the shingle to the roof. The tool further comprises a handle on the upper surface of the blade distant from the working end. The tool is meant by its weight and configuration to be held by one hand and used in a natural underhand swing motion of the arm to accomplish dislodgment of the shingle. The handle is equipped with a shield to protect the worker's hand from abrasion, cutting and impact.

The above-described tools of the prior art may be relatively time consuming in their ability to remove roofing material. There is also a need for an efficient, easy-to-use tool for removing cedar roofing material.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided a tool for removing cedar roofing material disclosed herein that overcomes the above disadvantages.

There is accordingly provided a tool for removing cedar roofing material. The tool has a handle with a first end and a second, inclined end which is spaced-apart from the first end. The second end of the handle is inclined. The tool includes a blade having a base portion connected to the second end of the handle. The blade has a proximal end which is adjacent to the base portion of the blade. The blade has a distal end which is spaced-apart from the base portion of the blade. The blade is arcuate-shaped between its proximal end and its distal end. The base portion is angled relative to the proximal end of the blade.

There is further provided a tool for removing cedar roofing material. The tool includes a handle having a first end and a second end. The second end of the handle is spaced-apart from the first end of the handle by a first distance. The tool includes a blade having a proximal end connected with the second end of the handle. The tool includes a distal end which is spaced-apart from the proximal end by a second distance. The blade is arcuate-shaped between its proximal end and its distal end and the second distance is twice the first distance.

There is also provided a method of using an elongate tool to remove cedar roofing material from a roof having a plurality of spaced-apart rafters. The roof has a plurality of spaced-apart roof strapping connected to and extending perpendicular to the rafters. The cedar roofing material connects to the roof strapping. The tool has a handle and a blade connected to the handle. The method includes the step of inserting the blade of the tool between respective ones of the strapping. The method includes the step of raising the handle of the tool upwards when the blade of the tool abuts one of said rafters. The tool thus causing the cedar roofing material to be removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool for removing cedar roofing material;

FIG. 2 is a first side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a second side elevation view thereof showing the side opposite that show in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a first end view thereof showing the gripping member of the tool;

FIG. 7 is a second end view of the end opposite that shown in FIG. 6, showing the blade and part of the grip ping member;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a roof showing a plurality of spaced-apart rafters, a plurality of spaced-apart roof strapping extending across the rafters, cedar roofing material in this example in the form of a plurality of overlapping cedar shingles connecting to the strapping, and roofing felt interposed between the strapping and the shingles;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a worker inserting the tool of FIG. 1 between respective ones of the strapping of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the worker of FIG. 9 with the tool fully inserted between respective ones of the strapping and the tool abutting one of the rafters seen in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the worker of FIG. 9 with the tool being raised upwards by the worker and cedar shingles being removed from the roof; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the worker of FIG. 9 with the tool having an angled base portion, the cedar shingles so removed abutting the angled base portion and tumbling forward towards further cedar shingles yet to be removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a tool 20 for removing cedar roofing material, in this example cedar shingles 22, seen in FIG. 8. The tool may also be used for removing cedar shakes, for example. The tool has a proximal end 24 and a distal end 26 which is spaced-apart from its proximal end.

The tool 20 has a handle 28 that is rectangular in cross-section in this example and formed of square-tubing, though this is not strictly required. The handle has a first end 30 and a second end 32 which is spaced-apart from its first end by a first distance or longitudinal length L_(h) seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The first end of the handle is located adjacent to the proximal end 24 of the tool 20. The second end 32 of the handle 28 is inclined, as seen best in FIG. 3, and faces in the direction of distal end 26 of the tool 20 in this example. The handle has a top 34 and a bottom 36 which is spaced-apart from its top. A pair of spaced-apart sides 38 and 39, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, extends between the top and bottom of the handle 28. The top, bottom and sides of handle 28 are rectangular in shape in this example. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle has a width W_(h) between its sides 38 and 39. The top 34, bottom 36 and sides of the handle 28 extend from first end 30 to second end 32 of the handle 28.

The tool 20 includes a gripping member 40 which connects to and extends from the first end 30 of the handle 28 in this example. The gripping member aligns with and extends along the proximal end 24 of the tool 20 in this example. The gripping member 40 is cylindrical in shape in this example. The gripping member and the handle 28 connect together via welding in this case, though this is not strictly required. The gripping member 40 extends substantially perpendicular from the handle 28 in this example, extending from the bottom 36 of the handle. The gripping member includes an elastomeric tubing 42 which extends therearound for facilitating gripping with a worker's hand, such as hand 94 of worker 92 seen in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 1, the tool 20 has a blade 44 which is concavely curved at its top 52, as seen in FIG. 2 and convexly curved at its bottom 54, best seen in FIG. 3.

The blade is elongate, thin, and substantially rectangular in shape in this example as shown in FIG. 1. The blade 44 includes an angled base portion 46 which connects to the inclined second end 32 of the handle 28 and extends to distal end 26 of the tool. The blade also includes a proximal end 48 which is adjacent to the base portion, and a distal end 50 which is spaced-apart from the base portion and the proximal end of the blade.

Referring to FIG. 2, base portion 46 of the blade 44 is angled relative to the proximal end of the blade by angle α that is obtuse. Angle α is equal to an angle within the range of 110 to 140 degrees according to one preferred example, and is substantially equal to 125 degrees according to a further preferred example, though this is not strictly required.

The distal end 50 of the blade 44 is tapered and coincides with the distal end 26 of the tool in this example. As seen in FIG. 3, the proximal end 48 of the blade aligns with and extends from the bottom 36 of handle 28. The blade is arcuate-shaped between its proximal end 48 and its distal end 50. The blade 44 has a curvature with a radius within the range of thirty-eight to forty-four inches according to one preferred example, and is substantially equal to forty-two inches according to a further preferred example, though this is not strictly required.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, distal end 50 of the blade is spaced-apart from proximal end 48 of the blade by a second distance or longitudinal length L_(b). The length of the blade is longer than the length L_(h) of the handle 28. In this example, the length of the blade is substantially twice as long as the length of the handle.

The blade 44 includes a pair of spaced-apart, arcuate-shaped side edge portions 56 and 58 as seen in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the side edge portions of the blade extend between the top 52 and bottom 54 of the blade. The top and bottom of the blade 44 are rectangular in this example as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. Referring to FIG. 1, the top 52, bottom 54, and side edge portions 56 and 58 of the blade extend between the proximal end 48 and distal end 50 of the blade. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the blade has a width W_(b) between its side edge portions. The blade 44 extends laterally outwards relative to handle 28, with its width W_(b) being larger than the width W_(h) of the handle in this example.

Tool 20 is used to remove cedar shingles 22 in this example from a roof 60, as seen in FIG. 8. The roof has a plurality of spaced-apart rafters, as shown by rafters 62 and 64, which extend downwards in a vertical direction at least in part. Adjacent rafters are spaced-apart by a distance D_(r). The distance between adjacent rafters 62 and 64 may be substantially equal to a spacing in the range of sixteen to twenty-four inches, according to North American building codes. The length L_(b) of the blade 44 seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 is equal to or greater than the maximum distance between adjacent rafters 62 and 64. In this example, the length of the blade is equal to or greater than twenty-four inches.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the roof 60 includes a plurality of spaced-apart roof strapping, as shown by strapping 66 and 68, which extends in a substantially horizontal direction. The strapping connects to and extends perpendicular to the rafters 62 and 64 via fasteners, in this example respective pairs of nails, shown by nails 71 and 73, which are hammered through the strapping and into the rafters. Adjacent lengths of strapping 66 and 68 are spaced-apart from each other by a distance D_(s). The distance between adjacent strapping may be substantially equal to two to four inches, according to North American building codes. The width W_(b) of the blade 44 seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 is equal to or less than the distance between adjacent roof strapping 66 and 68. In this example, the width of the blade is substantially equal to or less than two inches.

The roof 60 includes a plurality of rows 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80 of overlapping cedar shingles connecting to the strapping 66 and 68 via fasteners in this example pairs nails 75 and 77 which extend through the shingles and into the strapping. The roof includes a plurality of courses of shingles, where each course comprises two or more shingles aligned in a row along a given length portion of strapping and overlayed at least in part between respective ones of the rafters 62 and 64, as shown by course 82 of shingles 84, 86 and 88 aligning therealong. Blade 44, seen in FIG. 1, is shaped to extend across and remove one course 82 of shingles at a time. As seen in FIG. 8, each of cedar shingles has an average width W_(c). Length L_(b) of the blade 44, seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, is greater than the average width of two of the cedar shingles. Roofing felt 90 is interposed between the strapping 66 and 68 and shingles 22. Cedar roofs 60 per se, including their various parts such as rafters 62 and 64, strapping 66 and 68, and cedar roofing material and their various functionings, are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in further detail.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show tool 20 in use. Referring first to FIG. 9, worker 92 grips the tool 20 with one hand 94 on gripping member 40 or, in this example, by holding handle 28 adjacent to end 30. The worker's other hand 96 may grip the tool by the handle adjacent to its end 32 or, in this example, by initially holding blade 44 adjacent to its end 48.

Distal end 26 of the tool 20 is inserted between respective lengths of the strapping 66 and 68 within the spacing extending between distance D_(s). The tool may be inserted between respective ones of the strapping at a location adjacent to a first one of the rafters 62 seen in FIG. 8. As the tool 20 is inserted within this spacing, it may avoid hitting nails 75 and 77, seen in FIG. 8 extending through the shingles and extending through the strapping, because of the elongate, slender shape of the blade 44. Referring to FIG. 10, the tool is then further inserted and lowered towards the strapping 66 and 68 until the distal end 50 of the blade, seen in FIG. 1, abuts a second one of the rafters 64 seen in FIG. 8. When this occurs, gripping member 40 may be in a substantially vertical position as seen in FIG. 10. According to one example, the blade 44 penetrates rafter 64 with its tapered distal end 50. At this stage, the blade extends across two or more cedar shingles.

Thereafter, the tool 20 is raised upwards as shown by arrow 98 in FIG. 11 via handle 28. According to one example, the worker 92 uses the tapered distal end 50 of the tool, seen in FIG. 1, as a pivot point for raising the tool upwards. As seen in FIG. 12, the blade 44 abuts the cedar shingles 84, 86 and 88 in its path, which are raised upwards and removed from their strapping 68. According to one embodiment, the tool 20 is raised until the gripping member 40 is in a substantially horizontal position.

During this process, the angled base portion 46 of the blade 44 abuts at least some of the cedar shingles 84, 86 and 88 so raised and removed, as seen in FIG. 12. This causes the cedar shingles so raised and removed to tumble forwards, as shown by arrow 100, towards further cedar shingles yet to be removed.

It will be appreciated that many variations are possible within the scope of the invention described herein. Cedar shingles have been described herein. However, the tool 20 may also be used to remove other cedar roofing material, such as cedar shakes. It will be further understood by someone skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to at least the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool for removing cedar roofing material, the tool comprising: a handle having a first end and a second end which is spaced-apart from the first end, the second end of the handle being inclined; and a blade having a base portion connected to the second end of the handle, a proximal end which is adjacent to the base portion, and a distal end which is spaced-apart from the base portion, the blade being arcuate-shaped between its proximal end and its distal end, and the base portion being angled relative to the proximal end of the blade.
 2. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base portion of the blade is angularly spaced-apart from the proximal end of the blade by an angle which is obtuse.
 3. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handle has a top and a bottom which is spaced-apart from the top, the top and the bottom of the handle extending from the first end to the second end of the handle, and wherein the proximal end of the blade is aligned with and extends from the bottom of the handle.
 4. In combination, a cedar roof having spaced-apart roof strapping and cedar roofing material connected thereto, and the tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade of the tool has a width that is equal to or less than the distance between respective ones of the roof strapping.
 5. In combination, a cedar roof having a plurality of spaced-apart rafters and the tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade has a length extending from its proximal end to its distal end that is greater than the distance between respective ones of the rafters.
 6. In combination, a plurality of cedar shingles or shakes, and the tool as claimed in claim 1, each of said cedar shingles or shakes having a width, and wherein the blade has a length extending from its proximal end to its distal end that is greater than the width of two of said cedar shingles or shakes.
 7. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handle has a length extending from its first end to its second end and wherein the blade has a length extending from its proximal end to its distal end, the length of the blade being longer than the length of the handle.
 8. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade is shaped to extend across and remove a course of said cedar roofing material at a time, each course comprising two or more of cedar shingles or shakes aligned in a row.
 9. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the blade is elongate, thin and substantially rectangular in shape and the distal end of the blade is tapered and wherein the tool further includes a gripping member connected to and extending substantially perpendicular from the first end of the handle.
 10. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein the distance between respective ones of the roof strapping is substantially equal to a spacing in the range of two to four inches.
 11. The combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein the width of the blade is substantially equal to or less than two inches.
 12. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein the distance between respective ones of the rafters is substantially equal to a spacing in the range of sixteen to twenty-four inches.
 13. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the length of the blade is equal to or greater than twenty-four inches.
 14. A tool for removing cedar roofing material, the tool comprising: a handle having a first end and a second end, the second end being spaced-apart from the first end by a first distance; and a blade having a proximal end connected with the second end of the handle and having a distal end, the distal end of the blade being spaced-apart from the proximal end by a second distance, the blade being arcuate-shaped between its proximal end and its distal end, the second distance being twice the first distance.
 15. A method of using an elongate tool to remove cedar roofing material from a roof having a plurality of spaced-apart rafters, and a plurality of spaced-apart roof strapping connected to and extending perpendicular to the rafters, the cedar roofing material connecting to the roof strapping, the tool having a handle and a blade connected to the handle, the method comprising: inserting the blade of the tool between respective ones of the strapping; and raising the handle of the tool upwards when the blade of the tool abuts one of said rafters, the tool causing the cedar roofing material to be removed thereby.
 16. The method as claimed in 15 further including: inserting the tool between adjacent ones of the roof strapping at a location adjacent to a first one of the rafters; and raising the handle of the tool upwards when the blade of the tool abuts a second one of the rafters, the second one of the rafters being adjacent to and spaced-apart from the first one of the rafters.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15, the blade of the tool having an angled base portion, and the method further including: abutting at least some of the cedar roofing material so raised and removed with the angled base portion of the blade, causing the cedar roofing material so raised and removed to tumble forwards towards further cedar roofing material to be removed.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 15, the blade of the tool having a tapered end, and the method further including, after the inserting step: penetrating said one of the rafters with the tapered end of the blade and using the tapered end of the blade as a pivot point for raising the tool upwards thereafter.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 15, the tool having a gripping member connected to and extending perpendicular from the handle, and the method further including: during the inserting step, lowering the tool so that the gripping member is in a substantially vertical position; and within the raising step, raising the tool until the gripping member is in a substantially horizontal position.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 15, the method further including providing the blade of the tool with a width that is equal to or less than the spacing between respective ones of the strapping and a length that is greater than the spacing between respective ones of the rafters. 